Volkswagen averages 27.7 mpg combined across 33 models (1984–2027). The best on record does 119 mpg, the thirstiest 14 — a yearly fuel gap of about $2,420.
What that actually costs
What a Volkswagen costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average combined | 27.7 mpg |
| Fuel per year | $1,386 |
| Most frugal on record | 119 mpg — $323 a year |
| Thirstiest on record | 14 mpg — $2,743 a year |
Volkswagen models by fuel economy
From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Volkswagen mpg?
27.7 mpg combined across 33 models rated between 1984 and 2027. That averages everything the brand has offered, so a long history of trucks pulls it down.
Which Volkswagen model is the most economical?
See the table above — models are sorted from the most frugal down, with what each costs in fuel per year.
How much does a Volkswagen cost to run?
About $1,386 a year in fuel on average, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon.
Why does the average look low for a modern brand?
Because it covers every model year on record, back to the 1980s. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier — that era is included.